Crashes involving heavy commercial vehicles result in thousands of deaths and many more severe injuries each year. Federal and state lawmakers seek to prevent these often catastrophic collisions by enforcing hours-of-service laws to reduce fatigue, requiring vehicle maintenance, promoting proper loading, and implementing distracted-operator policies.
While that has substantially decreased the risks, these accidents still occur. When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, you have every right to seek payment from the responsible party. The experienced truck crash attorneys at The Downer Law Firm could explain the common causes of truck accidents in Charlotte and guide you through your claim.
Crashes involving 18-wheelers and regular passenger cars often involve trucker recognition, decision-making, and performance, or lack thereof. Truck crashes in Charlotte are often the result of common scenarios, including:
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that trucker behavior and errors lead to most crashes involving 18-wheelers. Examples include decision mistakes, such as traveling too fast for conditions, misjudging gaps, and following too closely, or recognition errors, such as inattention due to distractions, which substantially increase risk. The most effective ways to prevent avoidable crashes are for drivers to get enough rest, follow distraction-free policies, and practice defensive driving, and for vehicles to be maintained as required by law.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration governs the truck operator’s Hours of Service (HOS) laws in the United States. While there are some exceptions, 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 395 requires that truckers and their employers ensure operators adhere to an 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off the clock. They must also take a rest break of at least 30 minutes after eight hours.
The statute also prohibits drivers from remaining behind the wheel for more than 60 hours in a seven-day week or 70 hours in an eight-day week. There is also a sleeper berth provision that allows operators to split the 10-hour off-duty requirement, provided they spend at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth and take a second break of at least 2 hours. Our knowledgeable Charlotte attorneys could review your case and answer your questions about the common causes of truck crashes and the HOS guidelines during your free consultation.
Truck operators are professional drivers and must adhere to federal and state regulations at all times to prevent avoidable crashes and serious harm to others traveling near them. When they fail to comply and you suffer the consequences, you have every right to expect them to pay for the damages.
Contact our seasoned lawyers for more information about the common causes of truck accidents in Charlotte. At The Downer Law Firm, we focus on quick settlements rather than lengthy litigation, striving for fast resolutions so you can get back to your life and future. We also do not get paid unless we secure compensation for you. Contact your hometown legal team today to schedule your free consultation.
